Wayne Davis Named Interim Dean of UT Knoxville College of Engineering

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has named Wayne T. Davis as the interim dean of the College of Engineering (COE).

Wayne DavisDavis, currently COE associate dean for research and technology, will become the interim dean effective May 10.

“Wayne has served our campus and the college for more than 30 years, and his knowledge and leadership will be the right fit for the college as we move to find the next dean,” said UT Knoxville Provost Robert Holub.

Davis received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Pfeiffer College (now Pfeiffer University) in Misenheimer, N.C.; a master’s in physics from Clemson University and a master’s in environmental engineering and doctorate in civil engineering from UT Knoxville.

Davis joined the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering as an instructor of environmental engineering in 1974 and became an assistant professor in 1975. He was named an associate professor in 1979, and became a full professor in the department in 1984. Davis also served as assistant dean of the Graduate School from 1985 to 1998 and as the school’s associate dean from 1988 until 1991. He was the university’s 2003 Macebearer.

Davis’ research areas are air quality management and pollution control. He has been the principal investigator or co-PI, on approximately 85 different research grants and contracts since 1974. He is a Qualified Environmental Professional and is a member of numerous professional and academic and honorary societies, including the Air and Waste Management Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Engineering Educators.

The search for a permanent COE dean is now under way, with a search committee chaired by UT Knoxville Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement Brad Fenwick and Bamin Khomami, professor and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

The current dean, Way Kuo, announced his resignation in February to become the president of the City University of Hong Kong.